Why Go?It’s a pint-sized place, with a surface area of just more than 20,000 sq km and two million people. But ‘good things come in small packages’, and never was that old chestnut more appropriate than in describing Slovenia. The country has every thing from beaches, snowcapped mountains, hills awash in grape vines and wide plains blanketed in sunflow-ers to Gothic churches, baroque palaces and art nouveau buildings. Its incredible mixture of climates brings warm Mediterranean breezes up to the foothills of the Alps, where it can snow in summer.

The capital, Ljubljana, is a culturally rich city that values livability and sustainability over unfettered growth. This sensitivity towards the environment extends to rural and lesser-developed parts of the country as well. With more than half of its total area covered in forest, Slovenia really is one of the ‘greenest’ countries in the world.

When to Go

Apr–Jun Spring is a great time to be in the lowlands and the flower-carpeted valleys of the Julian Alps.

Sep This is the month made for everything – still warm enough to swim and tailor-made for hiking.

Dec–Mar Every-one (and their grandma) dons their skis in this winter-sport-mad country.

-20/-4

40/104

0/32

F DNOSAJJMAMJ

Ljubljana°C/°F Temp

20/68

Rainfall inches/mm

2/50

2.9/75

3.9/100

0

1/25

4.9/125

Ljubljana ....................... 875Lake Bled ......................888Lake Bohinj ...................892Kranjska Gora ...............894Soča Valley ....................895Postojna ........................ 897Škocjan Caves ..............898Koper.............................899Piran ............................. 900Portorož ........................904Maribor .........................905Ptuj ................................905Understand Slovenia ....906Survival Guide...............908

Best Places to Eat»» Gostilna na Gradu (p882) »» Gostilna Ribič (p906) »» Gril Ranca (p905) »» Hiša Franko (p897) »» Gostilna Lectar (p889)

Best Places to Stay»» Antiq Palace Hotel & Spa

(p881) »» Max Piran (p901) »» Hostel Pekarna (p905) »» Camping Bled (p889) »» Penzion Gasperin (p892)

Slovenia

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Slovenia

Slovenia

Slovenia

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One»WeekSpend a couple of days in Ljubljana, then head north to unwind in Bohinj or romantic Bled beside idyllic mountain lakes. Depending on the season, take a bus or drive over the hair-raising Vršič Pass into the val-ley of the vivid blue Soča River and take part in some adventure sports in Bovec or Kobarid before returning to Ljubljana.

two»WeeksAnother week will allow you to see just about every-thing: all of the above as well as the Karst caves at Škocjan and Postojna and the Venetian ports of Koper and Piran on the Adriatic. The country is small, so even the far eastern region, particularly the historically rich and picturesque city of Ptuj, is just a few hours away by car or train.

ConnectionsBorder formalities with Slovenia’s three European Union neighbours – Italy, Austria and Hungary – are nonexistent and all are accessible by train and bus. Venice can also be reached by boat from Piran. Expect a somewhat closer in-spection of your documents when travelling to/from non-EU Croatia.

Essential Food & Drink»» Pršut Air-dried, thinly sliced ham from the Karst region

not unlike Italian prosciutto.»» Žlikrofi Ravioli-like parcels filled with cheese, bacon and

chives.»» Žganci The Slovenian stodge of choice – groats made

from barley or corn but usually ajda (buckwheat).»» Potica A kind of nut roll eaten at teatime or as a dessert.»» Wine Distinctively Slovenian tipples include peppery red

Teran from the Karst region and Malvazija, a straw-colour white wine from the coast.»» Postrv Trout, particularly the variety from the Soča River,

is a real treat. »» Prekmurska»gibanica A rich concoction of pastry filled

with poppy seeds, walnuts, apples, and cheese and topped with cream.»» Štruklji Scrumptious dumplings made with curd cheese

and served either savoury as a main course or sweet as a dessert.»» Brinjevec A very strong brandy made from fermented

juniper berries (and a decidedly acquired taste).

at»a»GLance»» currency Euro (€)»» Language Slovene»» Money ATMs are

everywhere; banks open weekdays and Saturday morning»» Visas Not required

for citizens of the EU, Australia, USA, Canada or New Zealand

Fast Facts»» area 20,273 sq km»» capital Ljubljana»» country code %386»» emergency Ambulance &

fire %112, police %113

Exchange Rates

Australia A$1 €0.82

Canada C$1 €0.77

Japan ¥100 €0.83

New Zealand

NZ$1 €0.65

UK UK1 €1.18

USA US$1 €0.78

Set Your Budget»» Budget»hotel»room €50»» two-course»meal €20»» Museum»entrance €4»» Beer €3»» 100km»by»train/bus

€6/10

Resources»» slovenian»tourist»Board

(www.slovenia.info)»» e-uprava (http://e-up-

rava.gov.si/e-unprava/en)